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Restorative Dentistry Eugene OR At Higbee Family Dentistry, our goal is to prevent dental problems before they occur. Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to poor oral hygiene, genetics, infrequent checkups, and other risk factors. This is why we also specialize in restorative dentistry. Our restorative services are designed to improve the function and aesthetics of your smile, as well as your overall oral health.Dental FillingsDental fillings are the best way to restore minor to moderate instances of tooth decay. Most fillings these days consist of a material known as composite resin. Composite resin is an aesthetically-pleasing material that we color-match to the existing shade of your enamel. For this reason, a composite filling is virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth. Dental CrownsA dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that improves the structure and cosmetics of a damaged or decayed tooth. During the procedure, your tooth must be completely reshaped to accommodate the shape of the crown. Once the tooth is reshaped, we will permanently bond the crown to the enamel using a special adhesive. Many crowns are fabricated these days with porcelain, due to its unmatched aesthetics. Benefits of Dental CrownsDental crowns are made to fit over the entire visible surface of a damaged tooth. Dental crowns are often used when the damage to the tooth is more significant, compromising the appearance of your teeth as well as your oral health. Crowns work to hold damaged teeth together, preventing further damage, protecting them from infection, and restoring their strength. These important benefits of dental crowns also help to restore the health of your mouth, preventing further damage, infections, and the need for a tooth extraction. Dental BridgesA dental bridge is a tooth replacement that typically consists of two dental crowns linked together by a pontic, or false tooth. A traditional bridge is supported by the two surrounding teeth, known as abutment teeth, that we reshape to receive the crowns. A bridge can also be supported by a series of dental implants if multiple adjacent teeth are missing. If you are missing a tooth, a bridge will prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of their proper position. Dental ImplantsA dental implant is a small titanium post that we surgically embed into the jawbone. The implant serves as the root component of a prosthetic tooth. Once the implant is in place, it will fuse to the bone during the process of osseointegration. Osseointegration allows the implant to support a restoration against the strongest forces of your bite. For this reason, dental implants are widely considered to be the next best thing to your natural teeth. Benefits of Dental ImplantsBecause dental implants are permanent, you will not need to worry about them slipping around in your mouth, or potentially falling out, as can happen with dentures. When you lose bone, if you have dentures, your dentures will start to not fit as snugly as they have in the past. This will make eating and talking more difficult. Because dental implants protect you from bone loss, they also help maintain your facial structure. Dental Implant PlacementMost patients who get dental implants do not experience any complications after the surgery. This is because the materials used during the implant are considered biocompatible. This means that your body will not reject the dental implant. Your body welcomes the titanium anchor by fusing it to your tooth as it would a natural tooth. Dental Implant RestorationA dental implant is a replacement root system allowing us to rebuild a missing tooth. The implant is a titanium or ceramic post that we surgically embed into your jawbone. The implant is specially designed to capture a lot of bone material to both hold onto and to allow the bone to grow up and around as it heals. After the bone has healed, the implant will be a firm anchor in your mouth. With the new root established, we can then attach a dental prosthetic including a dental crown, bridge, or denture. Who is a Candidate for Dental ImplantsIdeally, candidates for dental implants are in good oral health, have adequate bone density, and no chronic conditions that will prevent healing. However, dental implants are actually recommended for many people who already have some bone loss in their jaw, because the healing process around the rods actually prevents further bone loss. You also must be old enough that your jaw has stopped growing. This usually occurs by age 20 but varies from person to person. Dentures: Complete, Partial & CustomA denture is a removable appliance that is usually used to replace one or more missing teeth. A partial denture usually attaches to the surrounding teeth with metal clasps. A complete denture consists of a flesh-colored acrylic base that supports a complete arch of prosthetic teeth. We offer custom-fit dentures as a more comfortable, functional, and durable solution. Tooth ExtractionThere are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. We perform a simple extraction on a tooth that has already erupted above the gumline. We perform a surgical extraction on a tooth that has become impacted, or has yet to erupt, such as wisdom teeth. Extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and other complications. Impacted Wisdom TeethMost of us possess a set of third molars commonly known as wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth typically erupt much later than other permanent teeth, which can cause problems for your oral health. At Justin Higbee DDS, PC, we specialize in wisdom teeth extractions to prevent or alleviate these potential problems. Root CanalA root canal is a last-ditch effort to save a tooth from extraction. We may recommend a root canal if an infection has spread to the “pulpy” center of the tooth that contains nerve endings and other connective tissues. Once the infection has been removed, we fill the canals with a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha. A tooth that has received root canal treatment typically needs to be capped with a crown. Schedule an AppointmentTo learn more about our restorative services call (541) 342-1187, and schedule your appointment now! |
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